ArcelorMittal and the United Steelworkers union reached a tentative bargaining agreement, ending eight months of talks. The union announced the pact to its members in a bargaining update on its website on Wednesday. If ratified, the contract runs until Sept. 1st, 2018.

No contract details were divulged but the union said the agreement “preserves our economic security and other contractual protections.” Union officials called it a “fair agreement” that balances the need of management to save money, while maintaining a standard of living for union workers.

The steel industry has changed considerably over the last 30 years. It leaves many wondering about the future of working in the field.

As part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series, Lakeshore reporter Sharon Jackson talked with Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath about what’s changed in steel and McGrath says subcontracting is among the big changes.

Steel is still a giant field in Northwest Indiana, but the industry is also looking at other parts of the world at which the local workforce can do the work required to make quality products.

As part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series, Lakeshore reporter Sharon Jackson spoke with Purdue University Calumet Economics professor Paul McGrath as part of Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Steel on the Lakeshore” series.